Affordability/Cost/Price
Biden administration asks Republicans to extend popular broadband discount program
President Joe Biden’s administration called on Republicans in Congress to extend funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a consumer broadband rebate program used by more than 23 million households. The the $14.2 billion ACP was signed into law in November 2021 and began accepting enrollments at the end of that year.
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Nebraska's Digital Equity Plan Accepted
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Nebraska’s Digital Equity plan. Using $598,746.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Nebraska created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.
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Texas’ Digital Equity Plan Accepted
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Texas’ Digital Equity plan. Using $3,110,150.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Texas created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.
Without federal internet subsidies, state efforts to offer low-cost broadband could be impacted
According to state broadband officials in Michigan, Vermont and Pennsylvania, the termination of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) could not only impact the 23 million households on the program, but also those who live in areas where broadband is being built out. In Michigan, for instance, the state wants to require broadband companies receiving grants under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program to charge lower-income people no more than $30 a month.
The clock is ticking for ACP—can it be saved?
April is the last fully funded month for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and the forecast for its future is looking grim. On March 23, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Congress’ final, fiscal year 2024 spending package, worth a whopping $1.2 trillion. The kicker? The over-1000-page legislation contained no mention of additional funding for the ACP. And the numbers aren’t looking pretty. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has appropriated a total of around $17 billion for the ACP and its predecessor the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.
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Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Update to Members of Congress Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program
I am writing to provide an update on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is on the brink of shutting down due to lack of funding. This program is the largest broadband affordability effort in our Nation’s history. Today, more than 23 million households nationwide count on it to get online and stay online, including vulnerable seniors, veterans, school-aged children, and residents of rural and Tribal communities.
End of internet subsidies for low-income households threatens access to telehealth
The importance of high-speed internet was seared into the American psyche by scenes of children sitting in parking lots and outside fast-food restaurants to attend school online during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that same period, health care providers and patients like Cindy Westman say being connected also became a vital part of today’s health care delivery system. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) participant Westman said her internet connection has become so important to her access to health care she would sell “anything that I own” to stay connected.
Internet Service Provider Cost and Speed Survey Report
In late 2023, U.S.
How the FCC could save the Affordable Connectivity Program
A number of former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials are pointing to expanding the Lifeline program, under the Universal Service Fund (USF), as the way to save a version of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and prevent tens of millions of people from losing access to the monthly broadband subsidy. One way the FCC could do that was outlined in a recent petition for expedited rulemaking filed
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Are There Two Broadband Markets?
In a survey of 8,000 broadband customers nationwide, Parks Associates found that FWA cellular wireless customers feel better about the price they pay for broadband than subscribers of other technologies. The survey asked broadband customers to react to the following statement: “I receive Internet service at a fair cost / good price”. The response by technology was as follows: